Waimakariri supporting cyclone recovery

Nicole Mathewson Reporter from Northern Outlook

By David Hill, local democracy reporter

The Waimakariri District Council is providing ongoing support following the cyclone in the North Island.

Mayor Dan Gordon says his council is continuing to provide support to the Wairoa District Council as part of Local Government New Zealand’s (LGNZ) Adopt-a-Community campaign.

Council staff and civil defence volunteers also spent time in Auckland and Hawkes Bay in the aftermath of the Cyclone Gabrielle and the flood events.

"We made a considerable contribution, recognising that we too were supported in our time of need after the Canterbury earthquakes.

"There will be ongoing support for Wairoa, including a donation."

In all, nine emergency operations staff spent a combined 128 days in Auckland and Hawke's Bay.

The council also sent three building inspectors and seven NZRT12 civil defence volunteers to Auckland after the cyclone and flood events.

"I acknowledge the contribution they made with time out from their families and the NZRT12 volunteers who did it in their own personal time," Gordon said.

Wairoa mayor Craig Little said his district has been overwhelmed with the generosity and support it has received in the aftermath of the cyclone.

He said the support received through the Adopt-a-Community campaign has been particularly "humbling".

Six mayors and councils have reached out to show their support for Wairoa, including Gordon.

The other mayors included Tory Whanau (Wellington), David Moore (Ōpōtiki), Phil Nixon (South Taranaki), Craig Rowley (Waimate) and Tania Gibson (Grey District).

"The Mayors have been driving these initiatives and encouraging donations to their adopted community’s Mayoral Relief Fund," Little said.

"It is so great that these councils have been there for us, they know how difficult our recovery is and the fact they are supporting us is really reassuring."

Little said more than $500,000 from the Wairoa Mayoral Relief Fund has been distributed to those in need.

The priority was to support people to get back into their homes and supporting community, businesses and farms to rebuild.

He said he could not thank the councils enough for their support and financial contributions.

"It is not until you go through a disaster like this that you appreciate the help you receive from other councils and organisations and realise how vital that support is."

Wairoa is a north Hawke's Bay town, between Napier and Gisborne.